While some Earth-like worlds can generate significant O2 only by biology, “waterworlds” and “desert worlds” can build up O2 even without life because of chemical changes from atmosphere loss to space.
Volcanism
Posted inNews
Scientists Float a New Theory on the Medusae Fossae Formation
Pumice-like rafts of lightweight material could have carried volcanic debris across an ancient Martian ocean to build one of the most puzzling features on the Red Planet.
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Our Seismic Solar System
Earth’s not the only thing that shakes and quakes and goes around the Sun. Not by a long shot.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
A New Tool for Studying Volcanic Eruptions Like Kīlauea
A new study sheds light on how magma erodes the conduit it flows through.
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Homemade “Spatter Bombs” Can Reveal Volcanic Secrets
Researchers use trial and error to develop a technique to create volcanic lava bombs.
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Space Telescope Findings Suggest Molten Planetary Surface
Researchers studying the super-Earth 55 Cancri e spotted some puzzling features that provide a new vision of the orb's surface.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Evidence for Volcanoes on Venus
Infrared light from the planet's surface shows hot spots that might be caused by lava.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
"Knobby Terrain" a Sign of Mars's Explosive Past
Newly identified knobby terrain related to ancient volcanoes on Mars hint that pyroclastic ash and rock flowed down slopes early in the red planet's history.